Searching the MPEP During the Patent Bar: How to Use the Reference
OED provides the source materials on the exam computer, and its note says external links in them are redacted (as at 12 Oct 2026). Practise with the same edition, MPEP 9th ed., Revision 01.2024 (November 2024), from uspto.gov.
When to search
- When two options turn on a number you are not sure of (a period, a count, a fee category).
- When a question quotes a rule or form you do not recognise.
- Not for core rules you should know: AIA 102, benefit claims, extensions of time, appeal steps.
How to search well
- Search for the rule number ("1.136(a)") or a distinctive phrase, not a common word.
- Know the chapter first: a search inside chapter 2100 or 700 is faster than the whole manual.
- Give yourself a budget: if a search has not settled it in two minutes, mark the question and move on.
- Use our mock screen's MPEP panel to practise: each item links to the section our explanation cites, after you answer.
Frequently asked questions
Can you search the MPEP during the patent bar?
Yes. The source materials are available on the exam computer, with external links redacted (OED source-materials note, updated 29 May 2026).
Go deeper: study notes
Related guides
Put it into practice
Free account, 650+ original practice questions, instant explanations and full timed practice exams.
Build a daily practice habit — a few exam-style questions a day, with worked answers. Free to start.
Start practicing →Patent Bar Prep is an independent study aid. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or approved by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) or its Office of Enrollment and Discipline (OED). Bank questions are original; USPTO-released exam questions are shown only in separate, labelled sets.